Report: Steelers OC Arthur Smith Shows Interest in UNC Head Coaching Job
Will the Pittsburgh Steelers be on the lookout for a new offensive coordinator after one season? After Arthur Smith was recently identified as a potential head coaching candidate, reports have surfaced he would be interested in returning to his Alma Mater.
On Wednesday, FootballScoop provided an in-depth update on the University of North Carolina’s search for their next head coach. In the update, multiple sources confirmed that the Steelers’ offensive coordinator was indeed interested in the prospect of returning to college coaching. Smith graduated from UNC in 2006 and began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant.
The search for the next head coach at UNC began after current head coach Mack Brown – who is on his second stint with the Tar Heels – was informed he would not be brought back for the 2025 season. Since then multiple names have been associated with the job. However, Smith has been the warmest of those mentioned.
After spending his collegiate playing career in Chapel Hill, Smith got into coaching as a graduate assistant. From there he went on to two stops before spending 10 seasons with the Tennessee Titans. After two successful seasons as offensive coordinator in Nashville, Smith was hired by the Atlanta Falcons to serve as their head coach.
After three seasons of posting a 21-30 record, Smith was let go by Falcons owner Arthur Blank. It would take long before the Steelers picked him up. Since then, he has overseen an offense that has elevated their offensive production, set Najee Harris on pace for a career year, and put George Pickens on course to be one of the NFL’s top weapons.
The Steelers would love to keep Arthur Smith, however, they also likely wouldn’t hold him back from accepting an advancement to a head coaching spot.
